The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-01-21
LITTLE MAC AND HIS GENERALS.
Gen. McCieiian's opinion of His Lieuteu.
ants as Expressed in HIs Book.

Phil Kearney received brigade; but
though he stood high as n remarkably
daring man and good cavalry captain in
the Mexican war, had not sufficient con-
fidence in his brains to give him one OF
the first divisions. l have since some
times thought that l would have done
well had ] given him command OF the
cavalry.
Sumner was in California when j as
sumed command; he returned not long
before we took the field and at once re-
ceived a division. He was an old and
tried officer, perfectly honest, as brave
man as could be, conscientious and labori-
GUS In many respects he was model
soldier. He was a man for whom had q
very high regard, and for his memory
have the greatest respect. He was very
valuable man, and his soldierly example
was of the highest value In a new army.
A nation is fortunate that possesses many
such soldiers as was Edwin V. Sumner.
Franklin was one of the best officers I
had; very powerful lie was man not
only of excellent Judgment, but of re-
mnrkably high order of Intellectual
ability. He was often badly treated, and
seldom received the credit he deserved
His moral character was of the highest,
and he was in all respects an admirable
corps commander; more than that, he
would have commanded an army well
The only reason why did not send him
to relieve Sherman instead of Buell. was
that could not spare such man from
the Army of the Potomac.
Fitz John Porter was on duty with Gen
Patterson as adjutant general when l as
sumed command. AS soon as possible 1
had him made brigadier general, and gave
him the command vacated by w. u. Sher-
man. Take him for all In all, he was
probably the best general officer l had
under me. He had excellent ability,
sound judgment and all the instincts of
soldier lie was perfectly familiar with
all the details Of his duty, an excellent
: organizer and administrative officer, and
one Of the most conscientious and labori-
Gus men ever knew never found 1t
necessary to do more than give him gen.
eral instructions, for 1t was certain that
all details would be cared for and nothing
neglected / always knew that an order
given to him would be fully carried out
were it morally and physically possible
He was one Of the coolest and most i'm
perturbable men in danger l ever knew
like all his race. / shall have occasion
to revert to him hereafter, and will now
only add that he was treated with the
of his devotion to me.
To Sedgwick I gave a brigade. Not
knowing him well did not at first appre-
ciate his high qualities, but soon discov-
cred them and gave him the first vacant
division--that originally commanded by
Stone. He was one of the best and most
modest soldiers we had Possessing ex-
cellent ability and judgment, the highest
bravery, great skill in handling troops
wonderful powers In instructing and dis
ciplinng men as well as in gaining their
love, respect and confidence, he was with
al so modest and unobtrusive that IL was
necessary to be thrown closely in contact
with him to appreciate him. He was
thoroughly unselfsh, honest and true as
steel His conduct during the battle of
Chancellorsvillei in storming the works on
Marie's Heights, and afterward holding
his own against tremendous odds, was
remarkable and most brilliant feat Of
arms.
Hancock received brigade early in the
formation of the Army of the Potomac.
He was man of the most chivalrous
courage and of superb presence, especi-
ally in action; he had q wonderfully
quick and correct eye for ground and for
handling troops; his judgment was good,
and it would be difficult to find better
'orps commander.
John Reynolds was commandant of the
corps of cadets when the war broke out.
He gained high reputation in the Mexi
can war rs an officer of light artillery, and
was among the first whom caused to be
appointed brigadier general. He was Q
splendid soldier and performed admirably
every duty assigned to him. Constantly
improving, he was, when killed at Gettys-
burg with Meade and Sedgwick. the best
officer then with the Army of the Potomac.
He was remarkably brave and intelligent,
an honest, true gentleman.
Meade was also one Of my early ap-
pointments as brigadier general. He
was an excellent officer; cool, brave and
intelligent; he always did his duty admir-
ably and was an honest man. AS COM
mander of an army he was far superior to
either Hooker or Burnside. George
b. McClellan's Book.